Bedside unit



NOV' l 1932 J. T. FEHL ET AL BEDSIDE UNIT Filed Feb. 25. 1930 2 Sheets-.Sheet 1 maw/(M ATTORNEY NOV. 1, J, T FEHL ET AL BEDSIDE UNIT Filed Feb. 25, 1930 2 sheets-Sheet 2 BYgMz/ML@ ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE JOHN' THEODORE FEHL AND ALVA IBELCHER, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY BEDSIDE UNIT Application led February 25, 1930. Serial No. 431,139.

This invention relates to an improved surgical bedside unit.

In hospitals, cleanliness and neatness is essential and frequently there is very little room inthe wards for certain essential com` forts for the patients.

In many hospitals it is the custom in giving clysis7 enemas, douches, irrigations, etc., to use Aas a support for the containers the orlo dinary clothes tree or costumer. Not only does this cause nervousness and annoyance to the patients because the clothes tree is usually placed at the foot of the bed where it can be seen by the patient as well as being an un- ]5 satisfactory means of holding the clysis bottle or other container since the height cannot be varied. The collection of clothes trees in any ward is unsightly in appearance, collects dust and dirt, takes up space when not in use and in case of emergency is sometimes not available. The use of a rod clamped to the foot of the bed has the same objections and in addition mars the paint and spoils the appearance of the bed after removal while the attachment` clamps for the rods being small are often lost and cannot be found when an emergency arises.

In many wards there is no convenient place for the patients clot-hing7 magazines and toi- 39 let articles. A bedside unit should also be of sturdy construction as patients in arising frequently rest their weight upon it and hence should be strong enough to support them and not so easily moved as to slide under the pressure of their weight. In addition, the unit should be neat and lcompact in appearance, easily kept clean and having the table top free and clear of any articles excepting the customary water pitcher, which can be readily removed, to permit the doctor to use the table top for instrument trays while doing dressings.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a bedside unit which is compact and neat in appearance. A further object of the invention is to provide a bedside unit which can be readily cleaned. A further object of the invention is to provide a bedside unit which will have the necessary provision for the comfort ofthe patient whereby his toilet articles, clothing, magazines and other necessary articles may be taken care of and be convenient to the patient. Still another object of the invention is to provide a bedside unit having a bedside table which can be folded out of the way when not in use. A further object of the invention is to provide a bedside unit having a collapsible clysis or other irrigation stand.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a device embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the right side of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a rear view of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a top plan sectional view of a device embodying the principles of my invention taken along line 4f, 4, of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view partially in section with parts in changed position.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing the bedside table angle support within leg 2.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view showing the bedside table in extended position similar to Figure 5. Y

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of Figure 6 along the line 8, 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In carrying out our invention, we preferably rnake the bedside unit of metal. The bedside unit 1 has four legs 2, 2. The legs 2, 2', are connected by cross bars 3 which are preferably welded to the legs 2, 2. An additional bar 3 is secured on the right hand side for strengthening purposes as patients may place their feet on the bar adjacent the bed. Legs 2 are channeled with grooves 4.- to permit of the reception and sliding therein of angle supports 5 of bedside table 6. Table 6 comprises when closed, an actual side of the bedside unit closing compartment 7. When it is desired to use table 6 as a bedside table, sprinof latch 8 is released and the table is pulled straight up, the supporting angle irons sliding in groove 4. A rod 9 passes through the sides of angle irons 5. The termination of groove 4 adjacent the top prevents complete withdrawal of table 6. The groove 4 is cut out adjacent the top to permit of the ends of angle irons 5 and lugs 9 carried by angle irons 5 swinging into compartment 7 and thereby permitting the dropping of table 6 to the horizontal where stops 11 bear against angle irons 5 and the uncut portion of the walls of groove 4 bear against lugs 9 to support table 6 horizontally. Angle supports 5, forming a part of table 6 are housed in channel grooves 4 of legs 2 when table 6 is in closed position. tops 11 are secured to the upper portion of legs 2. Lugs 9 are secured to angle irons 5. W hen latch 8 is actuated the auxiliary legs 12 of the table can be rotated through an angle of approximately ninety degrees to table 6. Legs 12 are held in either of two positions by means of latch 8. That is, either parallel or at rio'ht angles to table 6. These legs are adjustable t'o rest upon the mattress of the bed. Adjustment is made by means of rotating them on their threaded stem 13 and adjusting the lock nuts 14. l/Vhen once adjusted to the bed they need no further adjustment. Legs 12 prevent any possible tilting of the bedside unit regardless of the weight placed upon it. When not in use table 6 closes and seals compartment 7. Upon the underside of table 6 a magazine or paper rack 15 is provided. Below compartment 7 a slide 16 is also provided for use by the doctor or by the patient during convalescence as a table. Below slide 16 a drawer is provided with a lock. This drawer is for the patients use for small personal effects such as writing materials, tooth brush, comb, etc. Such a drawer permits of a certain amount of privacy to the patient. Below the drawer is compartment 17 for the patients bedside slippers and hose. This removes them from the floor giving a neater appearance to the ward and prevents their loss in sweeping or becoming wet when the floor is cleaned. In the Jfront of compartment 7 a name plate 18 and number plate 19 are provided. This obviates the present method of hanging across the foot of the bed a piece of metal having the name and number plates thereon which also mars the bed and is-diiiicult to see. In the rear of the unita hook is provided to support the wash basin. This hanging of the basin assures dryness of the basin, guarantees individual usage and prevents the spread of possible contagious diseases by the improper sterilization of basins and their vcollective use. The basin should not be contained in a clothes compartment of a bedside unit due to the increase o the humidity therein in case of improper drying after use. Centrally through the bedside unit and adjacent the rear is a sheath 20. Within sheath 2O is rod 21 which rod has a pivoted end portion 22 forming a horizontal arm when rod 21 is raised. A hook or loop 23 is pivotally secured to cap 24. Loop 23 permits of the securing of the clysis bottle or other irrigation container to the clysis stand 21, 22. A set screw 25 permits the adjustment of rod 21 to the desired height. Collar 24 prevents rods 21, 22, from dropping to the bottom of sheath 20. Rod 21 is also rotatable in sheath 20 thereby permitting adjustment as to the direction of its hinged horizontal extension either to right or left of the unit or any other direction of the compass prior to the tightening of the setscrew 25. The clysis stand is readily cleaned. On the right side, adjacent the patients bed, is also provided a sputum cup container 26 with pivoted support 27 to be within easy reach of the bedside patient. The location of the cup container eliminates the possibility of its being upset which occurs when placed on bedside tables and 4thereby prevents the spilling of sputum which may be desired for microscopical examination as well as for greater cleanliness. Also on the right side of the bedside unit is towel rack 28 which has, belovv7 the sputum unit, soap container 29 and at the other end supporting ring 30 for mouth cup 31. Towel rack 28 is supported by arms 32 secured to the legs 2. The word clysis as used herein is a shortened form of the word hypodermoclysis and as used refers to injections or internal douches by gravity.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a compact bedside unit of neat appearance and which will be sanitary and supplies in a single unit a food tray, a clysis stand, a sputum cup container, a combination towel rack, soap dish and mouth glass, a Ibed table, magazine and paper rack, a clothing compartment, a private drawer, slipper and hose holder, a clean clear top of the bedside unit for the doctors use and means for individual basin support for the convenience of the patient and the better appearance of the ward.

What we claim is:

1. A bedside unit comprising a frame, a flat top cover for said frame forming a table, a compartment below said table having an open side, said open side closed by a panel forming a bedside table, legs pivotally connected to said panel, latching means for maintaining said legs parallel to said panel when said panel closes said open side and to maintain said legs at right angles to said panel when said panel is used as a bedside table, said legs having threaded stems and lock nuts whereby said legs are adjustable as to length to permit of adjustmentl to rest upon different heights of mattresses or bedding, means for supporting said panel in the vertical and horizontal positions.

2. In a bedside unit, a frame, said frame having three fixed panels and a stationary lat top and a bottom forming a compartment within said frame, the open side of said compartment closed by a movable panel, said panel having an angle iron frame slidable in channels of the bedside unit frame, supports carried by said bedside unit frame for said panel and cooperating therewith when said panel is raised in said channels and swung to the horizontal, lugs carried by the frame of the panel coi-operating with stops in the frame of the bedside unit to prevent accidental withdrawal from the top of the channels, legs pivotally connected to and adjacentthe top of said panel, latching means to maintain said legs parallel with and against said panel, said latching means also adapted to maintain said legs in position'for use at substantially right angles to said panel, an end for said panel flush with the fiat top and forming a continuation thereof when said panel is closed, means for adjusting the length of said panel legs.

3. In a bedside unit, comprising a frame, a flat top, a clysis rod sheathed in said unit, said rod rotatable and manually eXtensible upwardly through an opening in the flat top, means for supporting said rod when not in use below said flat top, a pivoted tip adapted when said rod is raised to form a supporting means for douche containers, means for securing said rod in any desired extended position throughout its length.

4. In a bedside unit a frame, a flat top cover for said frame forming a table top, a compartment below said table top having an open side, a movable panel having a flat side to normally close said open side of said compartment and a magazine and paper rack secured to the lower portion of the other side of said panel, channels in said bedside unit, said panel sliding vertically in said channels, means for supporting said panel in the horizontal plane with the i'lat side thereof upwards for a bedside table when said panel is manually raised vertically in said channels and swung to the horizontal.

5. In a bedside unit, a frame, a flat top cover, a clysis rod passing through an opening in said top of said unit, a sheath within f said frame for said rod, means for securing said rod in a raised position in its sheath, said flat top cover forming the top of a compartment beneath the top, a flat slide and drawer below said compartment, said sheath positioned so as not to interfere with said slide and drawer.

6. In a bedside unit a frame, a flat top cover, a. clysis rod carried by said unit, means whereby said rod may be raised manually above said fiat top, means for maintaining said rod 

